Plasma display device and driving method thereof

ABSTRACT

In a plasma display device, each of a plurality of scan lines is shared by a corresponding one of first display lines and a corresponding one of second display lines, and a plurality of address lines are formed in a direction crossing the plurality of scan lines. A plurality of first discharge cells are defined by the first display lines and the address lines, and a plurality of second discharge cells are defined by the second display lines and the address lines. A first turn-on cell is selected among the first discharge cells during a first period of an address period, and a second turn-on cell is selected among the second discharge cells during a second period of the address period. In addition, during a third period between the first and second periods of the address period, the first turn-on cell is sustain-discharged.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2005-0095369 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Oct. 11, 2005, the entire content of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a plasma display device and a drivingmethod thereof.

(b) Description of the Related Art

A plasma display device is a flat panel display that uses plasmagenerated by a gas discharge to display characters or images. Itincludes a plurality of discharge cells arranged in a matrix pattern.

One frame of the plasma display device is divided into a plurality ofsubfields each having a brightness weight, and each subfield includes areset period, an address period, and a sustain period. A discharge cellto be turned on (hereinafter, referred to as a “turn-on cell”) and adischarge cell to be turned off (hereinafter, referred to as a “turn-offcell”) are selected during an address period of each subfield. Theturn-on cell is sustain-discharged during a sustain period so as todisplay an image.

During the address period, a plurality of display lines are respectivelyscanned so as to select turn-on cells. Therefore, scan circuitscorresponding to the number of display lines are required tosequentially scan the plurality of display lines, which increases a costof the plasma display device.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background of the invention andtherefore it may contain information that does not form the prior artthat is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill inthe art.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

One aspect of the present invention provides a plasma display device forreducing the number of scan circuits and a method of driving the plasmadisplay device.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of driving a plasmadisplay device, wherein the plasma display device is driven by aplurality of subfields divided from a frame, and the plasma displaydevice includes a plurality of scan lines respectively having aplurality of first display lines and a plurality of second displaylines, a plurality of address lines crossing the plurality of scanlines, a plurality of first discharge cells respectively formed by theplurality of first display lines and the plurality of address lines, anda plurality of second discharge cells respectively formed by theplurality of second display lines and the plurality of address lines. Inone embodiment, a first light emitting cell is selected from among theplurality of first discharge cells during a first period of an addressperiod, a second light emitting cell is selected from among theplurality of second discharge cells during a second period of theaddress period, and the first light emitting cell is sustain-dischargedduring a third period between the first and second periods of theaddress period to compensate wall charges of the plurality of seconddischarge cells.

Another aspect of the invention provides a plasma display device whichincludes a plasma display panel (PDP) and a driver. The PDP includes aplurality of scan lines respectively having first display lines andsecond display lines, a plurality of address lines crossing theplurality of scan lines, and a plurality of discharge cells respectivelyformed by the first and second display lines and the plurality ofaddress lines. The driver selects a turn-on discharge cell from thefirst display line during a first period of an address period, selectsthe turn-on discharge cell from the second display line during a secondperiod of the address period, sustain-discharges the turn-on dischargecell of the first display line during a third period between the firstperiod and the second period, and compensates wall charges of theturn-on discharge cell of the second display line.

Still another aspect of the invention provides a plasma display device,comprising: a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of address electrodescrossing the scan lines, a plurality of first discharge cells defined bya plurality of first display regions and the address electrodes, aplurality of second discharge cells defined by a plurality of seconddisplay regions and the address electrodes, wherein two adjacent firstand second display regions share one of the scan lines. In oneembodiment, the driver is configured to: i) sequentially apply a firstscan pulse to the scan lines so as to select a first turn-on cell fromthe first discharge cells during a first period of an address period,ii) sequentially apply a second scan pulse to the scan lines so as toselect a second turn-on cell from the second discharge cells during asecond period of the address period, iii) apply a first voltage to thescan lines during a third period between the first and second periods soas to sustain-discharge one of the first and second turn-on cells, andiv) alternatively apply a second voltage and a third voltage to the scanlines so as to sustain-discharge the first and second turn-on cellsduring a sustain period, wherein the second voltage is lower than thefirst voltage and the third voltage is lower than the second voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a plasma display device according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram representing one exemplary embodiment of anelectrode arrangement of the PDP shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C respectively show diagrams representing drivingwaveforms of the plasma display device according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C respectively show a diagram representing dischargecell states at two adjacent display lines.

FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F respectively show diagrams representing wall chargestates on a discharge cell in respective periods of FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram representing another exemplary embodiment of anelectrode arrangement of the PDP shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplaryembodiments of the present invention have been shown and described,simply by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art wouldrealize, the described embodiments may be modified in various differentways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regardedas illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like reference numeralsdesignate like elements throughout the specification.

In addition, wall charges mentioned in the following description meancharges formed and accumulated on a wall (e.g., a dielectric layer)close to an electrode of a discharge cell. A wall charge will bedescribed as being “formed” or “accumulated” on the electrode, althoughthe wall charges do not actually touch the electrodes. Further, a wallvoltage means a potential difference formed on the wall of the dischargecell by the wall charge.

A plasma display device according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the plasma display device accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plasma display device includes a plasma displaypanel (PDP) 100, a controller 200, an address electrode driver 300, ascan electrode driver 400, and a sustain electrode driver 500.

The PDP 100 includes a plurality of address (A) electrodes A₁ to A_(m),extending in a column direction, a plurality of sustain (X) electrodesX₁ to X_(n) extending in a row direction, and a plurality of scan (Y)electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) also extending in the row direction.

The controller 200 receives an external video signal and outputs an Aelectrode driving control signal, an X electrode driving control signal,and a Y electrode driving control signal. In addition, the controller200 divides a frame into a plurality of subfields respectively having aweight. Further, the controller 200 controls the sustain electrodedriver 500 to drive a first group including odd-numbered X electrodesand a second group including even-numbered X electrodes separately. Inanother embodiment, the first group may include even-numbered Xelectrodes, and the second group may include odd-numbered X electrodes.

The address electrode driver 300 receives the A electrode drivingcontrol signal from the controller 200 and applies a driving voltage tothe A electrodes A₁ to A_(m).

The scan electrode driver 400 receives the Y electrode driving controlsignal from the controller 200 and applies a driving voltage to the Yelectrodes Y₁ to Y_(n).

The sustain electrode driver 500 receives the X electrode drivingcontrol signal from controller 200 and applies a driving voltage to theX electrodes X₁ to X_(n).

FIG. 2 shows a diagram representing one exemplary embodiment of anelectrode arrangement of the PDP shown in FIG. 1.

In the PDP 100, the A electrodes A₁ to A_(m) may be formed on asubstrate (e.g., a rear substrate), and the X electrodes X₁ to X_(n) andthe Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) may be formed on another substrate (e.g., afront substrate) such that the two substrates face to each other. Asshown in FIG. 2, the respective X electrodes X₁ to X_(n) are alternatelyformed with respect to the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) The Y electrodes Y₁to Y_(n) define scan lines to which a scan pulse having a scan voltage(see VscL in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C) is applied during an address period,and the A electrodes A₁ to A_(m) define address lines to which anaddress pulse having an address voltage (see Va in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C)is applied during the address period. In addition, each of display lines(display regions) L₁ to L_((2n−1)) for displaying an image is definedbetween a corresponding one of the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) and acorresponding one of the X electrodes X₁ to X₁. The display lines L₁ toL_((2n−1)) include a plurality of first display lines and a plurality ofsecond display lines. Each of the first display lines is defined by acorresponding one of the first group including the odd-numbered Xelectrodes X₁, X₃, . . . , and X_((n−1)) and a corresponding one of theY electrodes Y₁ to Y₁. Each of the second display lines is defined by acorresponding one of the second X electrode group including theeven-numbered X electrodes X₂, X₄, . . . , and X_(n) and a correspondingone of the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n). Therefore, one X electrode maydefine two display lines, which are respectively located at the upperside and the lower side of the X electrode, together with two adjacent Yelectrodes. One Y electrode also may define two display lines, which arerespectively located at the upper side and the lower side of the Yelectrode, together with two adjacent X electrodes.

In addition, discharge spaces at crossing regions of the display linesL₁ to L_((2n−1)) and the A electrodes A₁ to A_(m) respectively definedischarge cells 23, and the discharge cells 23 are partitioned in therow direction by barrier ribs 24. The barrier ribs 24 extends in thecolumn direction and are formed between two adjacent A electrodes. Eachof the X electrodes X₁ to X_(n) includes a bus electrode 21 a and atransparent electrode 21 b, and each of the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y₁ alsoincludes a bus electrode 22 a and a transparent electrode 22 b. Thetransparent electrodes 21 b and 22 b are respectively coupled to the buselectrodes 21 a and 22 a. In one embodiment, the width along the columndirection of the transparent electrode 21 b or 22 b may be wider thanthat of the bus electrode 21 a or 22 a. In one embodiment, thetransparent electrode 21 b or 22 b may be formed by non-transparentmaterials. In one embodiment, the discharge cells 23 may be partitionedin a column direction by barrier ribs (not shown) formed on the buselectrodes 21 a and 22 a. Since two adjacent display lines share one ofthe X and Y electrodes and, the respective X and Y electrodesparticipate in sustain-discharging discharge cells 23 that are placed onboth sides thereof.

A plurality of scan circuits (not shown) are respectively coupled to theplurality of scan lines, i.e., the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n), and areformed in the scan electrode driver 400. In addition, a scan voltage(VscL in FIG. 3A) and a non-scan voltage (VscH in FIG. 3A) areselectively applied to the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) by the scancircuits.

A driving method of the plasma display device according to the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention will now be described with referenceto FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C respectively show diagrams representing drivingwaveforms of the plasma display device according to first to thirdexemplary embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows adiagram representing discharge cell states at neighboring display lines.In addition, FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F respectively show diagrams representingwall charge states on the respective electrodes for respective periods.

In FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, driving waveforms applied to two adjacentdischarge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) defined by first and seconddisplay lines L_((2i−1)) and L_(2i) sharing one scan line (i.e., Yelectrode Y_(i)) and one address line (i.e., A electrode A_(j)) as shownin FIG. 4 will be described. That is, the discharge cell C(2i−1, j) isdefined by the X electrode X_(i) and the Y electrode Y_(i), forming thefirst display line L_(2i×1) and the A electrode A_(j). Furthermore, thedischarge cell C(2i, j) is defined by the X electrode X_(i+1) and the Yelectrode Y_(i), forming the second display line L_(2i) and the Aelectrode A_(j), For convenience, it is assumed that ‘i’ is an oddnumber (1, 3, 5, . . . ).

Referring to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, an address period in a subfieldincludes a first period, a second period, and a wall charge compensationperiod provided between the first period and the second period. When thedischarge cell C(2i−1, j) is selected as a turn-on cell among the twodischarge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) as shown in FIG. 4A, an addressdischarge is generated during the first period. In addition, when thedischarge cell C(2i, j) is selected as a turn-on cell among the twodischarge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) as shown in FIG. 4B, the addressdischarge is generated during the second period. Further, when the twodischarge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) are selected as turn-on cells asshown in FIG. 4C, the address discharges are generated during the firstand second periods.

Firstly, the driving waveform of the plasma display device when the twodischarge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) on the first and second displaylines L_((2i−1)) and L_(2i) are selected as the turn-on cell as shown inFIG. 4C will be described with reference to FIG. 3A.

As shown in FIG. 3A, during a rising period of the reset period, avoltage at the Y electrode Y_(i) gradually increases from a Vs voltageto a Vset voltage while the reference voltage is applied to the firstand second groups X_(i) and X_(i+1) of the X electrodes. In oneembodiment, the reference voltage may be a ground voltage (0V) as shownin FIG. 3A. In one embodiment, the voltage at the Y electrode mayincrease in a ramp pattern as shown in FIG. 3A. Then, the (−) wallcharges are formed on the Y electrode Y_(i), and the (+) wall chargesare formed on the X electrodes X_(i)and X_(i+1), and the A electrodeA_(j) since weak discharges are generated 1) between the Y electrodeY_(i) and the X electrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1), and 2) between the Yelectrode Y_(i) and A electrode A_(j) while the voltage at the Yelectrode Y₁ increases.

During a falling period of the reset period, while a Ve voltage, whichis higher than the reference voltage, is applied to the first and secondgroups X_(i) and X_(i+1), of the X electrodes, the voltage at the Yelectrode Y_(i) gradually decreases from the Vs voltage to a Vnfvoltage. Then, the weak discharges are generated 1) between the Yelectrode Y_(i) and the X electrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1) and 2) betweenthe Y electrode Y_(i) and the A electrode A_(j) while the voltage at theY electrode Y_(i) decreases. Furthermore, the (−) wall charges formed onthe Y electrode Y_(i) and the (+) wall charges formed on the Xelectrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1) and the A electrode A_(j) as shown in FIG.5A are eliminated, and the discharge cell is initialized to be aturn-off cell. In general, when the Vnf voltage is applied during thefalling period of the reset period, a sum of 1) a wall voltage betweenthe X electrode X_(i) or X_(i+1) and the Y electrode Y_(i) and 2) anexternal voltage of (Vnf−Ve) between the Y electrodes Y_(i) and the Xelectrode X_(i) or X_(i+1) is set to be a discharge firing voltagebetween the Y electrode Y_(i) and the X electrode X_(i) or X_(i+1).Then, a sustain discharge error (misfiring) may be prevented in aturn-off cell on which the address discharge is not generated during theaddress period since the wall voltage between the Y electrode Y_(i) andthe X electrode X_(i) or X_(i+1) reaches 0V.

Subsequently, during the first period of the address period, while thereference voltage is applied to the second group X_(i+1) of the Xelectrodes and the Ve voltage is applied to the first group X_(i) of theX electrodes, a scan pulse having a scan voltage VscL is sequentiallyapplied to the Y electrodes (Y₁ to Y_(n) of FIG. 1). In one embodiment,the scan voltage VscL may be set to be substantially the same as orlower than the Vnf voltage. An address voltage Va is applied to the Aelectrode A_(j) passing the discharge cell C(2i−1, j) that is to beselected among the discharge cells on the first display line L_((2i−1))formed by 1) the Y electrode Y_(i) to which the scan voltage VscL isapplied and 2) the first group X₁. In addition, a VscH voltage that ishigher than the scan voltage VscL is applied to the other Y electrodesto which the scan voltage VscL is not applied, and the reference voltageis applied to the A electrode of the remaining discharge cells that arenot selected. Accordingly, since the address discharge is generated onthe discharge cell C(2i−1, j) defined by the Y electrode Y_(i) receivingthe voltage VscL, the A electrode A_(j) receiving the voltage Va, andthe X electrode X₁ receiving the voltage Ve, among the two dischargecells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j), the (+) wall charges are formed on afirst portion of the Y electrode Y_(i) (see “22 b 1” in FIG. 2) and the(−) wall charges are formed on the first group X_(i) as shown in FIG.5C. Here, the Y electrode Y_(i) includes the first portion (22 b 1) anda second portion (22 b 2). The first portion (22 b 1) of the Y electrodeY_(i) is a portion which is above the bus electrode 22 a and closer tothe first group electrodes X_(i), and the second portion (22 b 2) of theY electrode Y_(i) is a portion which is below the bus electrode 22 a andcloser to the second group electrodes X_(i+1).

During the first period, the address discharge is not generated on thedischarge cell C(2i, j). However, a weak discharge may be generatedbetween the Y electrode Y_(i) (i.e., the second portion (22 b 2) of theY electrode Y_(i)) and the A electrode A₁ of the discharge cell C(2i, j)while the address discharge is generated on the discharge cell C(2i−1,j) on the first display line L_(2i−1) during the first period. That is,the weak discharge may be generated in at least one discharge cell onthe second display line, which shares the scan line and the address linewith the discharge cell in which the address discharge is generatedduring the first period of the address period. In addition, theintensity of the weak discharge is weaker than that of the sustaindischarge. Then, since (+) wall charges and (−) wall charges have beenrespectively formed on the A electrode A_(j) and the second portion 22 b2 of the Y electrode Y_(i) of the discharge cell C(2i, j) during thereset period as shown in FIG. 5A before the weak discharge is generated,a portion of the previously formed charges is partly eliminated by theweak discharge as shown in FIG. 5B.

Subsequently, in the wall charge compensation period, while thereference voltage is applied to the A electrode A_(j) and the Ve voltageis applied to the first group X of the X electrodes, a Vb1 voltage,which is higher than the voltage VscH, is applied to the Y electrodeY_(i) and the Ve voltage is applied to the second group X_(i+1) of the Xelectrodes. Subsequently, the reference voltage is applied to the firstgroup X_(i) of the X electrodes, and a Vb2 voltage, which is higher thanthe Vb1 voltage, is applied to the Y electrode Y_(i). In one embodiment,the Vb2 voltage may be set to be higher than the voltage Vs. In oneembodiment, the Vb1 voltage may be set to be substantially the same as avoltage of (VscH−VscL) and the Vb2 voltage may be set to besubstantially the same as a voltage of (Vs+(VscH−VscL)) such that theVb1 and Vb2 voltages can be supplied without additional power sources.Then, a sustain discharge is generated on the discharge cell C(2i−1, j)having a wall charge state shown in FIG. 5C of the first display lineL_((2i−1)) formed by the Vb2 voltage. As a result, the (+) wall chargesare formed on the first group X_(i) of the X electrodes and the Aelectrode A_(j) , and the (−) wall charges are formed on the Y electrodeY_(i) as shown in FIG. 5D. In addition, the weak discharge is generatedon the discharge cell C(2i, j) of the second display line L_(2i) by theVb2 voltage and the wall voltage between the A electrode A_(j) and thesecond portion (22 b 2) of the Y electrode Y_(i). Since the (−) wallcharges have been formed on the second portion (22 b) of the Y electrodeY_(i) and the (+) wall charges have been formed on the A electrode A_(j)as shown in FIG. 5B, the wall charge state of the discharge cell C(2i,j) on the second display line L_(2i) becomes equal to the wall chargestate when the reset period ends as shown FIG. 5A by the weak discharge.

Subsequently, in the wall charge compensation period, the Vs voltage isapplied to the first group X_(i) of the X electrodes, and the referencevoltage is applied to the Y electrode Y_(i). Then, since the sustaindischarge is generated in the discharge cell C(2i−1, j) on the firstdisplay line L_((2i−1)), the (+) wall charges are formed on the firstportion (22 b 1) of the Y electrode Y_(i), and the (−) wall charges areformed on the first group X_(i) of the X electrodes as shown in FIG. 5E.Since the reference voltage is applied to the second group X_(i+1) ofthe X electrodes and Y electrode Y_(i), no discharge is generated in thedischarge cell C(2i, j) on the second display line L_(2i). Therefore,the wall charge of the discharge cell C(2i, j) is still the same as thewall charge state when the reset period ends. Accordingly the wallcharges partly eliminated from the A and Y electrodes of the dischargecell C(2i, j) on the second display line in the first period of theaddress period can be compensated during the wall charge compensationperiod.

In one embodiment, the voltage Vb2 may satisfy Equation 1 and Equation 2in order to generate the weak discharge between the Y and A electrodesY_(i) and A_(j) of the discharge cell C(2i, j) on the second displayline L_(2i.)Vb2−Vw>Vf _(AY)  Equation 1

where Vw is a wall voltage between the A and Y electrodes of thedischarge cell in a state shown in FIG. 5B, and Vf_(AY) is a dischargefiring voltage between the A and Y electrodes.Vb2−VW<Vf _(AY)  Equation 2

where VW is a wall voltage between the A and Y electrodes of thedischarge cell in a state shown in FIG. 5A.

Accordingly, based on Equation 1 and Equation 2, the Vb2 voltage may beset to satisfy Equation 3.Vf _(AY) +Vw<Vb2<Vf _(AY) +Vw  Equation 3

Subsequently, during the second period of the address period, while theVe voltage is applied to the second group X_(i+1), of the X electrodesand the reference voltage is applied to the first group X_(i) of theelectrodes , a scan pulse having the scan voltage VscL is sequentiallyapplied to the Y electrodes (Y₁ to Y_(n) of FIG. 1). The address voltageVa is applied to the A electrode A_(j) passing the discharge cell C(2i,j) that is to be selected among the discharge cells on the seconddisplay line L_(2i) formed by the Y electrode Y_(i) to which the scanvoltage VscL is applied and the second group X_(i+1) of the Xelectrodes. Then, the address discharge is generated in the dischargecell C(2i, j) on a second display line L_(2i). As a result, the (+) wallcharges are formed on the second portion (22 b 2) of the Y electrodeY_(i), and the (−) wall charges are formed on the second group X_(i+1)of the X electrodes as shown in FIG. 5F. Since the wall charge state ofthe discharge cell C(2i−1, j) on the first display line L_(2i−1) is asshown in FIG. 5E, the address discharge is not generated in thedischarge cell (2i−1, j) during the second period of the address period.

Subsequently, during a first period of the sustain period, sustainpulses alternately having a high level voltage (the Vs voltage in FIG.3A) or a low level voltage (0V in FIG. 3A) are applied to the Yelectrode Y_(i) and the X electrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1) with oppositepolarity, and accordingly the sustain discharge is generated between theY and X electrodes of the turn-on cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j). Thesesustain pulse may be applied to all the Y electrodes (Y₁ to Y_(n) ofFIG. 1) and all the X electrodes (X₁ to X_(n) of FIG. 1) with oppositepolarity. That is, 0V is applied to the X electrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1),when the Vs voltage is applied to the Y electrode Y_(i), and 0V isapplied to the Y electrode Y_(i) when the Vs voltage is applied to the Xelectrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1). Then, a discharge is generated between theY electrode Y_(i) and X electrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1), by the Vs voltageand the wall voltage formed between the Y electrode Y_(i) and Xelectrodes X_(i) and X_(i+1) by the address discharge during the firstand second periods of the address period. Subsequently, the sustainpulses are repeatedly applied to the Y electrode Y and X electrodesX_(i) and X_(i+1) in proportion to the weight of a correspondingsubfield.

In addition, since the sustain discharge have been performed twice inthe discharge cell C(2i−1, j) on the first display line L_(2i−1) duringthe wall charge compensation period, the sustain discharge isadditionally performed twice in the discharge cell C(2i, j) on thesecond display line L_(2i) during a second period of the sustain periodso as to equalize the numbers of sustain discharges in the dischargecells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) on the first and second display linesL_(2i−1) and L_(2i). That is, while the Vs voltage is applied to thefirst group X_(i) of the X electrodes during the second period of thesustain period, the discharge cell C(2i, j) on the second display lineL_(2i) is sustain-discharged by applying the 0V to the second groupX_(i+1) of the X electrodes and the Vs voltage to the Y electrode Y_(i)and after the discharge cell C(2i, j) is sustain-discharged again byapplying the Vs voltage to the second group X_(i+1) of the X electrodesand the 0V to the Y electrode Y_(i). Then, the numbers of sustaindischarges in the discharge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) on the firstand second display lines L_(2i−1) and L_(2i) are equalized. In oneembodiment, a voltage (e.g., a voltage of (VscH−VscL)) that does notcause the sustain discharge between the X and Y electrodes may beapplied to the first group Xi of the X electrodes instead of the Vsvoltage during the second period of the sustain period. In oneembodiment, the voltages applied to the first group of the X electrodesand the voltages applied to the second period of the X electrodes may bereversed to each other by a frame instead of performing the secondperiod in the sustain period.

Next, driving waveforms of the plasma display device, applied when thedischarge cell C(2i−1, j) on the first display line L_((2i−1)) among thetwo discharge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) is selected as the turn-oncell as shown in FIG. 4A, will now be described with reference to FIG.3B.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the discharge cell C(2i−1, j) on the first displayline L_(2i−1) is selected as the turn-on cell due to the Va voltage toapplied to the A electrode A_(j) and the VscL voltage applied to the Yelectrode Y_(i) during the first period of the address period, but thedischarge cell C(2i, j) on the second display line L_(2i) is notselected as the turn-on cell during the second period of the addressperiod because the reference voltage is applied to the A electrode A_(j)when the VscL voltage is applied to the Y electrode Y_(j). Then, in thedischarge cell C(2i, j) on the second display line L_(2i) the addressdischarge and the sustain discharge are not generated during the addressperiod and the sustain period. That is, the address discharge isgenerated during the first period of the address period in the dischargecell C(2i−1, j) on the first display line L_((2i−1)). In addition,during the wall charge compensation period and the sustain period, thesustain discharge is generated in the discharge cell C(2i−1, j) on thefirst display line L_((2i−1).)

Next, driving waveforms of the plasma display device, applied when thedischarge cell C(2i, j) on the second display line L_(2i) among the twodischarge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) is selected as the turn-on cellas shown in FIG. 4B, will now be described with reference to FIG. 3C.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the discharge cell C(2i, j) on the second displayline L_(2j) is selected as the turn-on cell due to the Va voltageapplied to the A electrode A_(j) and the VscL voltage applied to the Yelectrode Y_(i) during the second period of the address period, but thedischarge cell C(2i−1, j) on the first display line L_(2i) is notselected as the turn-on cell during the period of the address periodbecause the reference voltage is applied to the A electrode A_(j) whenthe VscL voltage is applied to the Y electrode Y_(j). Then, the addressdischarge is generated in the discharge cell C(2i, j) on the seconddisplay line L_(2i) during the second period of the address period. Inthe discharge cell C(2i−1, j) on the first display line L_((2i−1)), theaddress discharge and the sustain discharge are not generated during theaddress period and the sustain period. Since the address discharge isnot generated during the first period of the address period as describedabove, the wall charge states of the discharge cells C(2i−1, j) andC(2i, j) are the same as the wall charge state when the reset periodends. Accordingly, no discharge is generated in the discharge cellsC(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) during the wall charge compensation period, thewall charge state of the discharge cells C(2i−1, j) and C(2i, j) whenthe wall charge compensation period ends is the same as the wall chargestate when the reset period ends. Therefore, the address discharge isstably generated during the second period of the address period.

In addition to the PDP 100 shown in FIG. 2, the driving waveforms inFIG. 3A to FIG. 3C may be applied to the PDP 100 shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of electrode arrangementdiagram of the PDP 100′.

Differently from the electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 2, therespective display lines are defined by the respective Y and Xelectrodes as shown in FIG. 6. That is, one X electrode may define onedisplay line, which is located at the lower side of the X electrode,together with one Y electrode, and one Y electrode also may define onedisplay line, which is located at the upper side of the Y electrode,together with one X electrode. To apply the driving waveforms to aplurality of Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) shown in FIG. 6 in a like mannershown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C, the plurality of Y electrodes Y₁ to Y₁ aredivided into a first group including odd-numbered Y electrodes Y₁, Y₃, .. . , and Y_((n−1)) and a second group including even-numbered Yelectrodes Y₂, Y₄, . . . , and Y_(n). In one embodiment, the secondgroup may include the odd-numbered Y electrodes Y₁, Y₃, . . . , andY_((n−1)) and the first group may include the even-numbered Y electrodesY₂, Y₄, . . . , and Y_(n). One Y electrode (e.g., Y₁) of the first groupand one Y electrode (e.g., Y₂) of the second group form one of theplurality of scan lines to which the scan pulse is sequentially appliedduring each of the first and second periods of the address period. Inaddition, display lines L, to L_((2n−1)) include a plurality of firstdisplay lines defined by the first group of the Y electrodes and thefirst group of the X electrodes, and a plurality of second display linesdefined by the second group of the Y electrodes and the second group ofthe X electrodes. Therefore, each of the scan lines is shared bycorresponding one of the first display lines and corresponding one ofthe second display lines.

In addition, one portion of barrier ribs 34 extending in the columndirection may be formed between two adjacent A electrodes and the otherportion of the barrier ribs 34 extending in the row direction may beformed between two adjacent display lines. Each of the X electrodes X₁to X₁ and each of the Y electrodes Y₁ to Y_(n) respectively include buselectrodes 31 a and 32 a. In contrast to FIG. 2, they includetransparent electrodes 31 b and 32 b extending toward the correspondingdischarge cells 33 from the bus electrodes 31 a and 32 a. In oneembodiment, the X electrodes X₁ to X_(n) and the Y electrodes Y₁ toY_(n) may be formed by only the bus electrodes 31 a and 32 a.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a scanline is shared by two display lines such that the number of scancircuits may be reduced. In addition, the address period includes thefirst period for selecting the first discharge cell defined by theplurality of first display lines and the second period for selecting theplurality of second discharge cells defined by the plurality of seconddisplay lines, and the wall charge compensation period for compensatingthe wall charges of the plurality of second discharge cells is formedbetween the first period and the second period. Therefore, when thefirst discharge cell and the second discharge cell are selected as theturn-on cells, the address discharge may be stably performed.

While the above description has pointed out novel features of theinvention as applied to various embodiments, the skilled person willunderstand that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the device or process illustrated may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scopeof the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description. All variations coming within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.

1. A method of driving a plasma display device, the method comprising:selecting a first turn-on cell from a plurality of first discharge cellsduring a first period of an address period, wherein the first dischargecells are defined by a plurality of first display regions and aplurality of address electrodes, wherein each of the first displayregions extends in a first direction, and wherein each of the addresselectrodes extends in a second direction crossing the first direction;selecting a second turn-on cell from a plurality of second dischargecells during a second period of the address period, wherein the seconddischarge cells are defined by a plurality of second display regions andthe address electrodes, wherein each of the second display regionsextends in the first direction; and sustain-discharging the firstturn-on cell during a third period between the first and second periodsof the address period, wherein two adjacent first and second displayregions share one of a plurality of scan lines, and wherein each of thescan lines extends in the first direction.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the sustain-discharging comprises compensating wall charges ofat least one of the second discharge cells, and wherein the firstturn-on cell and the at least one of the second discharge cells shareone of the scan lines and one of the address electrodes.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the sustain-discharging comprises discharging atleast one of the second discharge cells, wherein the first turn-on celland the at least one of the second discharge cells share one of the scanlines and one of the address electrodes, and wherein the intensity ofthe discharging at the at least one second discharge cell is less thanthat of the sustain-discharging at the first turn-on cell.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising, sustain-discharging the first and secondturn-on cells during a first period of a sustain period; and furthersustain-discharging the second turn-on cell during a second period ofthe sustain period.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first turn-oncell is not sustain-discharged during the further sustain-discharging.6. The method of claim 4, wherein the plasma display device furthercomprises a plurality of sustain electrodes including a first group ofsustain electrodes and a second group of sustain electrodes, whereineach of the first display regions is defined by a corresponding one ofthe first group and a corresponding one of the scan lines, and whereineach of the second display regions is defined by a corresponding one ofthe second group and a corresponding one of the scan lines.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the plasma display device further comprises aplurality of scan electrodes respectively defining the plurality of scanlines, wherein the sustain electrodes and the scan electrodes are formedso as to alternate with each other.
 8. The method of claim 6, whereinthe plasma display device further comprises a plurality of scanelectrodes respectively corresponding to the plurality of sustainelectrodes, wherein the scan electrodes comprise a third group of scanelectrodes and a fourth group of scan electrodes, and each of the scanlines includes a corresponding one of the third group and acorresponding one of the fourth group.
 9. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising applying a first voltage and a second voltage to the addresselectrodes and the second group, respectively, during the third period,wherein the applying comprises: applying a third voltage, which is lowerthan the second voltage, to the first group and applying a fourthvoltage, which is higher than the third voltage, to the scan lines,during a first sub-period of the third period; and applying a fifthvoltage, which is lower than the fourth voltage and is higher than thethird voltage, to the first group and applying the third voltage to thescan lines, during a second sub-period of the third period.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: during the first period of thescan period, applying the second voltage to the first group and applyingthe third voltage to the second group; during the second period of thescan period, applying the third voltage to the first group and applyingthe second voltage to the second group; sequentially applying a firstscan pulse to the scan lines during the first period of the addressperiod; and sequentially applying a second scan pulse to the scan linesduring the second period of the address period.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the plasma display device further comprises a plurality ofscan electrodes respectively corresponding to the plurality of sustainelectrodes, and wherein the method further comprises: during the firstperiod of the sustain period, alternately applying the fourth voltageand the third voltage to the scan lines and the sustain electrodes; andduring the second period of the sustain period, alternately applying thefourth voltage and the third voltage to the scan electrodes and thesecond group while the fourth voltage is being applied to the firstgroup.
 12. The method of claim 6, further comprising initializing theplurality of first discharge cells and the plurality of second dischargecells to be in a turn-off cell state during a reset period.
 13. Themethod of claim 6, wherein one of the first and second groups comprisesodd-numbered sustain electrodes, and the other group compriseseven-numbered sustain electrodes.
 14. A plasma display device,comprising: a plasma display panel (PDP) comprising i) a plurality offirst display regions, ii) a plurality of second display regions, iii) aplurality of address electrodes, iv) a plurality of first dischargecells defined by the first display regions and the address electrodes,and v) a plurality of second discharge cells defined by the seconddisplay regions and the address electrodes, wherein two adjacent firstand second display regions share one of a plurality of scan lines,wherein each of the first display regions and each of the second displayregions extend in a first direction, and wherein each of the addresselectrodes extends in a second direction crossing the first direction;and a driver configured to select a first turn-on cell from the firstdischarge cells during a first period of an address period, select asecond turn-on cell from the second discharge cells during a secondperiod of the address period, and sustain-discharge the first turn-oncell during a third period between the first period and the secondperiod.
 15. The plasma display device of claim 14, wherein the driver isfurther configured to sustain-discharge the first and second turn-ondischarge cells during a first period of a sustain period, and furthersustain-discharge the second turn-on cell during a second period of thesustain period.
 16. The plasma display device of claim 14, furthercomprising a plurality of sustain electrodes including a first group ofsustain electrodes and a second group of sustain electrodes, whereineach of the first display regions is defined by a corresponding one ofthe first group and a corresponding one of the scan lines, and each ofthe second display regions is defined by a corresponding one of thesecond group and a corresponding one of the scan lines, wherein thedriver is further configured to respectively apply a first voltage and asecond voltage to the address electrodes and the second group during thethird period, apply a third voltage, which is lower than the secondvoltage, to the first group and apply a fourth voltage, which is higherthan the third voltage, to the scan lines, during a first sub-period ofthe third period, and apply a fifth voltage, which is lower than thefourth voltage and is higher than the third voltage, to the first groupand apply the third voltage to the scan lines, during a secondsub-period of the third period.
 17. The plasma display device of claim16, wherein the driver is further configured to: i) apply the secondvoltage to the first group and apply the third voltage to the secondgroup during the first period of the address period, ii) apply the thirdvoltage to the first group and apply the second voltage to the secondgroup during the second period of the address period, iii) sequentiallyapply a first scan pulse to the scan lines during the first period ofthe address period, and iv) apply a second scan pulse to the scan linesduring the second period of the address period.
 18. The plasma displaydevice of claim 14, wherein the driver is further configured togradually decrease voltages at the plurality of scan lines to initializethe first discharge cells and the second discharge cells during a resetperiod.